Renovations, upgrades on tap for high schools

Photograph by George Sakkestad
The Los Gatos High School front lawn was covered with fencing last week so contractors could begin replacing the school's cracked and crumbling main stairs and front sidewalk. The noisy demolition of the steps and sidewalk began Aug. 29 after school. The project is expected to be completed by November or December.

There are big changes coming to Los Gatos and Saratoga high schools, as the district embarks on a modernization plan that's designed to upgrade old facilities and accommodate projected growth in student populations.

Funds for the projects were approved by voters in June with the passage of the Measure E bond act. It's expected to raise about $99 million.

The first project completed was at SHS, where obsolete heating and air conditioning equipment was replaced over the summer.

A big project is just getting underway at LGHS to replace the school's front steps and sidewalk. The work is being performed by San Jose-based contractor Robert A. Bothman.

Bothman put up fencing last week to keep people out of the construction area.

"They're going to rip the whole thing out," assistant principal Kevin Rogers said. "The irrigation system will be changed out, new sod will be added and they'll improve the drainage."

In addition, the sidewalk in front of the school will be made ADA-compliant.

"Bothman has a very specific plan to secure the palm and historic oak trees so they don't disrupt their root systems," Rogers said.

The step and sidewalk replacement is expected to be completed by December or January.

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Much of the work that's to be done at both schools will be designed over the next few years, with total construction expected to take between six and seven years. "We're going to be aggressive with our time lines because the sooner we get these done the more bang taxpayers will get for their money," Superintendent Bob Mistele said.

While some of the projects aren't too exciting, such as replacing Saratoga's sewer line, roof and public address system, they do contribute to the general well-being of students, teachers and administrators.

For example, a new fitness center planned for SHS will contribute to that effort.

"Plus we're building a new student center at Saratoga, so that's exciting," Mistele said. "We're also going to create small boys' and girls' team rooms that can be used by visiting sports teams."

Saratoga's baseball and softball/soccer fields will receive artificial turf, as will the Los Gatos football and baseball fields. "We're also doing a major re-turfing at the Los Gatos multi-use field, from grass to sod, for soccer and softball," Mistele said. "They practice football there as well, and it gets a lot of community use."

The LGHS track will be replaced and the tennis courts will eventually move to where today's practice fields are located. "Once we get artificial turf it obviates the need for practice fields because the artificially turfed fields can be used all the time," Rogers said.

Both schools' music programs will be getting a boost, too, with Saratoga in line for a new 18,000-square-foot music building. The SHS music facility should be under construction in about two years.

The current Los Gatos music facility will be converted for use by the drama department when a new classroom and music building are eventually constructed.

Plans call for both schools to build multi-purpose rooms that can be set up for testing and other uses. "The AP, Star and exit exams have very specific space requirements," Mistele said.

"The other thing we have a need for is a place to bring the community together--parent booster groups and staff," Rogers added.

Los Gatos High School's main building opened in 1925, and Saratoga High School was built in 1959.

A copy of the master plans for both schools, which lists all the projects, is online at lgsuhsd.org under the heading "Facility Plan."